Acer Swift X Review: Powerful Ryzen 5 & RTX 3050 Laptop
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Specifications
- Design and Build Quality
- Display
- Keyboard and Touchpad
- Connectivity
- Audio and Webcam
- Performance and Gaming
- Battery Life
- Upgradable Options
- Windows 11 Compatibility
- Pros and Cons
- Conclusion
Introduction 📚
The Acer Swift X is a new laptop that promises powerful performance and portability at an affordable price. In this review, we will take a close look at its specifications, design, display, keyboard, performance, battery life, and more. If you're considering purchasing the Acer Swift X, keep reading to find out if it's the right laptop for you.
Specifications 💻
The Acer Swift X is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600U processor, an NVIDIA RTX 3050 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It features a 14-inch IPS Full HD display, a fingerprint sensor, and a 59-watt hour battery. The laptop comes in three subtle colors - silver, gold, and purple, with the reviewed model being the golden variant. Let's dive deeper into each aspect of the laptop to see how it performs in real-world scenarios.
Design and Build Quality 🏢
The Acer Swift X follows the familiar design language of the Swift lineup, sporting an aluminum body available in silver, gold, or purple. The build quality is solid, although some users have reported issues with the application of stickers. The laptop weighs only 1.4 kilograms and has a slim profile of 18 millimeters when closed. The display can be opened with one HAND, but caution should be taken to prevent the lower part from tipping over.
Display 🖥️
The 14-inch IPS Full HD display on the Acer Swift X offers a brightness of 300 nits, 100% sRGB coverage, and 72% Adobe RGB coverage. Although it is a 60Hz screen and lacks features like FreeSync or G-Sync, the color accuracy and brightness make it suitable for content creators and artists. However, some users have reported issues with backlight bleeding, particularly in the corners of the display.
Keyboard and Touchpad ⌨️
The silverish keyboard on the Acer Swift X has a short key travel, which may not appeal to everyone. Additionally, the absence of a numpad and the placement of the page up and down keys next to the arrow keys could be a questionable design choice. The keyboard does come with a white backlight function, but the lack of a caps lock indicator is a notable drawback. The touchpad, while functional, is not as impressive as high-end Glass touchpads found on other laptops.
Connectivity 🔌
In terms of connectivity, the Acer Swift X offers a Kensington lock, a USB 3 port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a power connection on the right side. On the left side, you'll find a USB-C port with power delivery and display port support, a regular USB 3 port, and an HDMI port. It's important to note that the power connection's small size may raise durability concerns. Some users have also experienced issues with the laptop not automatically connecting to Hidden Wi-Fi networks after a reboot.
Audio and Webcam 🎧📸
The two speakers located at the bottom of the Acer Swift X deliver clear sound with reasonable loudness. However, the sound quality is flat and not particularly impressive. While this is acceptable for an ultrabook prioritizing price performance, audiophiles may be disappointed. The integrated webcam provides decent video quality, and the integrated microphone offers clear audio for video calls and conferences.
Performance and Gaming 💪🎮
Powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5600U processor and NVIDIA RTX 3050 graphics card, the Acer Swift X offers robust performance for everyday tasks, multimedia consumption, and even gaming. In benchmark tests like Cinebench R15 and R23, the laptop achieved impressive scores for both single-core and multi-core performance. The 16GB of RAM and fast SSD contribute to smooth multitasking and quick file transfers. Gaming performance on the Acer Swift X is above average for a laptop in its class, with the ability to play resource-intensive titles like Call of Duty Warzone and Forza Horizon 5 at playable frame rates. However, it is important to note that the limited cooling solution may lead to higher temperatures during extended gaming Sessions.
Battery Life 🔋
One of the standout features of the Acer Swift X is its exceptional battery life. In real-world tests, the laptop lasted for over 12 hours of continuous YouTube playback on super battery mode, and up to 19.5 hours on idle with Wi-Fi and battery mode activated. These impressive battery times make the Acer Swift X an excellent choice for students and professionals who require long-lasting productivity on the go. Gaming on battery mode is also feasible, with some titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Microsoft Flight Simulator running at playable frame rates.
Upgradable Options 💡
The Acer Swift X offers limited upgradability options. While the laptop includes a slot for a Second M.2 SSD, the RAM is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded or changed. This may be a disadvantage for users who anticipate requiring more than 16GB of RAM in the future. However, the installed M.2 SSD provides fast read and write speeds, making it suitable for demanding tasks such as video editing and content creation.
Windows 11 Compatibility 🖥️🆕
The Acer Swift X is compatible with Windows 11, but it is important to note that some users have reported a decrease in performance after upgrading from Windows 10. Benchmark tests such as PC Mark 10 showed a noticeable drop in performance, while others like Cinebench and Geekbench demonstrated minimal differences. If you require maximum performance for gaming or professional tasks, it may be advisable to delay upgrading to Windows 11 until further optimizations are made.
Pros and Cons ✅❌
Pros:
- Powerful performance for its size and price
- Solid build quality with an attractive design
- Exceptional battery life for extended productivity
- Suitable for casual gaming and resource-intensive tasks
- Decent display with good color accuracy
Cons:
- Backlight bleeding issues on some units
- Keyboard lacks key travel and caps lock indicator
- Limited upgradability options, soldered RAM
- Cooling solution may lead to higher temperatures during intense tasks
- Performance may be affected after upgrading to Windows 11
Conclusion 🏁
In conclusion, the Acer Swift X is a competent ultrabook that offers a balance of performance and portability at an affordable price. It excels in areas such as battery life, display quality, and overall performance, making it a suitable choice for students, professionals, and casual gamers. However, there are certain drawbacks to consider, such as potential backlight bleeding issues, limited upgradability options, and cooling limitations during intense tasks. If you prioritize mobility, excellent battery life, and solid performance for everyday use, the Acer Swift X is definitely worth considering.
Highlights:
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600U processor and NVIDIA RTX 3050 graphics card deliver powerful performance
- Exceptional battery life of up to 19.5 hours on idle
- Solid build quality and attractive design
- Suitable for casual gaming and resource-intensive tasks
FAQ
Q: Can the Acer Swift X handle demanding software and tasks?
A: Yes, the Acer Swift X is equipped with a powerful AMD Ryzen 5 5600U processor and NVIDIA RTX 3050 graphics card, making it capable of handling demanding software and tasks such as video editing and content creation.
Q: Can I upgrade the RAM on the Acer Swift X?
A: No, the RAM on the Acer Swift X is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded or changed. It is important to consider this limitation when deciding on the amount of RAM you require.
Q: How is the battery life on the Acer Swift X?
A: The Acer Swift X offers exceptional battery life, lasting up to 19.5 hours on idle with Wi-Fi and battery mode activated. This makes it an excellent choice for users who prioritize long-lasting productivity on the go.
Q: Is the Acer Swift X compatible with Windows 11?
A: Yes, the Acer Swift X is compatible with Windows 11. However, it is important to note that some users have reported a decrease in performance after upgrading from Windows 10. Consider this when deciding whether to upgrade to Windows 11.
Q: Can I play games on the Acer Swift X?
A: Yes, the Acer Swift X is capable of playing games thanks to its powerful hardware, including an AMD Ryzen 5 5600U processor and NVIDIA RTX 3050 graphics card. While it may not achieve the same performance as dedicated gaming laptops, it can handle a wide range of games at playable frame rates.
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